Multi-color dye-transfer apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for dye-transferring color images, comprising a plurality of rotatable drums driven at the same angular velocity for supporting a matrix thereon, the diameter of each drum being larger than the drum disposed upstream thereof in the dyetransfer process and the matrices are incrementally larger in dimension corresponding to the drum periphery in downstream order. A plurality of dye solution supplying devices are provided adjacent the drums to supply different colors of dyes to the drums, and a plurality of press rollers are disposed in contact with the drums to urge the material to be dye-transferred into contact with the drums for a predetermined time period. In this manner, a multi-color image may be dye-transferred to the material without color displacement.

ilnited States atnt Taguchi et all.

[ 1 MULT11-COLORDYE-TRANSFER APPARATUS [75] Inventors: Seiichi Taguchi; Sigeru Tezuka;

Takeshi Tomotsu; Eiichi Mizuki, all of Asaki, Japan [73] Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.,

Kanagawa, Japan [22] Filed: Oct. 24, 1973 [21] Appl. No.1 $09,205

Related [1.5. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 159,968, July 6,

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 6, 1970 Japan 45-58883 [52] US. (I1. l011/181,101/228 [51] int. Cl B411 5/18 [58] Field of Search 101/181, 157, 228,174, 101/171,178, 180,183,219

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 870,210 11/1907 Wood 101/181 2,809,582 10/1957 Crawford 101/181 1 Feb. 111, 1975 3,025,791 3/1962 Averbacher 101/181 3,044,396 7/1962 Aller 101/157 3,252,415 5/1966 Crawfordm. 3,633,504 1/1972 Chambon 101/228 Primary ExaminerEdgar S. Burr Assistant ExaminerEdward M. Coven Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn & MacPeak [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for dye-transferring color images, comprising a plurality of rotatable drums driven at the same angular velocity for supporting a matrix thereon, the diameter of each drum being larger than the drum disposed upstream thereof in the dye-transfer process and the matrices are incrementally larger in dimension corresponding to the drum periphery in downstream order. A plurality of dye solution supplying devices are provided adjacent the drums to supply different colors of dyes to the drums, and a plurality of press rollers are disposed in contact with the drums to urge the material to be dye-transferred into contact with the drums for a predetermined time period. In this manner, a multi-color image may be dye-transferred to the material without color displacement.

2 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure MULTI-COLOR DYE-TRANSFER APPARATUS This application is a continuation in part application of application Ser. No. 159,968 filed on July 6, 1971.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for obtaining a multi-color image by a dye-transfer process, and in particular to an apparatus for dye-transferring the dye image in which a large number of images are transferred with the proper position regulation.

The dye transferring process is well known, US. Pat. No. 2,652,328 and British Pat. No. 663,005 are descriptive thereof. In this process, a printing matrix (hereinafter referred to as matrix,) absorbing dye solution in the image pattern, is dyed with the dye solution and then is contacted with a receiving material having a dyeable layer (hereinafter referred to as material") thereon for transferring the dye image to the material.

In order to obtain a multi-color image based on the principle of the dye-transfer process, three-strip matrices corresponding to the color separation images are prepared, dyed with dye solutions of three different colors, and brought into contact with the material for transferring the dye images in registration.

The dye-transfer process which is conducted nowadays can be explained in more detail as follows. The dye-transfer process generally consists of four processes; namely, l) a process to prepare a matrix from a color transparency or a color negative film, (2) a process to dye the matrix, (3) a process to remove excessive dye from the matrix, and (4) a process to bring the matrix into contact with the material. By repeating the processes except the first process, a number of duplicates can be obtained. However, these processes have been conducted manually in the prior art except one embodiment of the apparatus for carrying out the dye transfer process.

The foregoing embodiment is an automatic apparatus for duplicating motion picture film in which an elongated plastic having fme perforations is used as a matrix and another elongated plastic having perforations is used as a base for a material to be dye-transferred. In this embodiment, the perforations of the two plastic strips are used for accurately positioning the matrix on the material and the automatization of the process if facilitated.

A general manual operation of the dye-transfer process is conducted as follows: A sheet of matrix, provided with a pin hole for position regulation, is first dyed and washed, then superposed on a material to be dye-transferred provided with a pin hole for position regulation and placed on a baseboard having a pin fixed thereon for regulating the position of the material and the matrix. Then, the dye image on the matrix is transferred to the material placed on the baseboard. In multi-color dye-transfer process, the material to be dyetransferred placed on the baseboard is not to be moved until the three or required number of matrices are all used for transferring different colors of dye images thereon.

Since great labor and care are required to obtain even one sheet of multi-color image by the dyetransferring process as described above, the dyetransfer process is not widely used in spite of the advantages as follows.

In the case of duplicating a large number of images, the dyetransfer process is very advantageous in an economical sense in comparison with the conventional color printing using expensive silver halide photosensitive material to be exposed and developed. In the dyetransfer process, a material to be dye-transferred having only a gelatin layer is enough to duplicate several tens to several hundreds of color images by means of three matrices prepared by exposure and development by the use of photosensitive material. Further, dyes of bright color can be employed in the dye-transfer process since there is no need to fear the effect of the dye on the photosensitive material. As a matter of fact, the brightness of the color image obtained by the dyetransfer process is superior to that of color photography. The main reason for the unpopularity of the dyetransfer process in spite of the economics and the brightness in color is considered to be the tremendous labor and time required thereby. Therefore, it is required in the art of dye-transfer process using sheets of matrix having no perforations that labor and time be saved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In light of the above disposition of the prior art, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the dye-transfer of multi-color images on a material having no perforations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the dye-transfer of multi-color images in which the material to be dye-transferred is accurately positioned in relation to the matrices.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the dye-transfer process which duplicates a number of color images of good quality at a low cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which is a schematic side view of a multi-color dye-transfer apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Now referring to the drawing, the reference numerals 1, 2 and 3 indicate matrix drums for holding three matrices M M and M obtained through a three color separation. The matrices are contacted and fixed on the surface of the drums 1, 2 and 3. The reference numerals 4 and 5 indicate gears in meshing engagement with the gears fixed to the side of the drums l, 2 and 3 for rotating the drums at the same rotary speed and in synchronism with each other. The reference numeral 6 indicates a material to be dye-transferred of web shape coming from a mordanting process. The numerals 7, 8 and 9 indicate squeeze rollers and the numerals 10, 11 and 12 indicate guide rollers. The dye applying devices for applying the dye to the surface of the matrix drums are indicated at 13, 14 and 15. The reference numerals 16, 17 and 18 indicate washing devices for washing the excessive dye out of the surface of the matrices.

In the above described arrangement, the material 6 to be dye-transferred is pressed against the matrix drums l, 2 and 3 by squeeze rollers 7, 8 and 9 and the guide rollers 10, 11 and 12. The matrices on the drums Further, one of the reasons for preventing the color displacement is that the slip between the matrix and the material to be dye-transferred is prevented. The material to be dye-transferred has a layer mainly consisting 2 and 3 are y respectively with the different dyes- 5 of gelatin as a layer dyeable with the dye. When the The matrices are Pttwlded with Washing liquid y layer is inserted between the squeeze roller and the mathe Washing devices and the liquid is absorbed y the trix drum after absorbing water content to the satu- Washihg devices together with the excessive eye The rated extent, the layer presents a strong resistance y image is transferred to the material 6 at the against the tension of the material in the longitudinal positions between the squeeze rollers 7, 8, 9 and the 10 direction by the boundary tension f h water bguide rollers 10, sorbed therein. Therefore, there is no slip between the AS described above, in the apparatus in accordance matrix and the material to be dye-transferred. Accordwith the present invention, the material to be dyemgly, the material 6 to be eye'tl'ahsfetred tbhhlhg transferred is moved together with the matrix in 15 through the apparatus w" In the drawing is hardly contact therewith, and the dye transferring is conexpanded or Contracted m the apparatus however ducted continuously. Further, the apparatus of the Strongly the material 6 may be Pulled at the Portion present invention does not require any perforations in Stream Of the entrance of the pparat O n Or the matrices or the material to be dye-transferred for downstream of the exit of the same. In other words, the the purpose of position regulation and driving. This is Slack provided within the apparatus cannot be removed because of a lack of color displacement in transferring fiOm Outside the apparatus. It Will be understood that when the matrices are precisely positioned on the mathe slack provided between the drums also cannot be trix drums at the tim of mountin th t i removed. Further, the slack provided within the appathereon ratus cannot be removed by pulling the web material 6 However, if the material 6 to be dye-transferred is a when It ls m a peelhoh between the adjacent drums material such as base paper of the conventional photo- Preferably the F M M and Ma are downgraphic paper, it expands and contracts due to tension, Stream order longer In dlmehsleheerrespehdmg to the moisture, heat and so forth. Such expansion and con- 'P of the hrume abeht whleh t are traction result in color displacement in the transfer prom .dheet e e to the m h dlameter cess. The direction of the color displacement is either F meme b b of the mum-colored Images which forward or backward with respect to the advancing di- Increase lohghhdmehy due 9 web t h faction of the Web material The slack of the web material provided in the apparatus naturally results in the color displacement, namely, The following three points are considered to be the the displacement of the image in one color from the reasons for theeelor displacement formerly disposed image in another color. Even if the The material 6 to be dye'trahsferted rubbed by displacement made during one rotation of the drum is the Squeeze tellers 8 and 9; a negligibly small one, the displacement is made larger The material to be dye'trahsferred unevenly while the transferring is repeated by the hundreds of Pahded Owing to the P y of h geafsi and rotations of the drum. In the present invention, there is The thickness of the gelatm rehef bf themathces 40 no such displacement since the diameter of each drum is different in different matrices and the effective dlamis made larger than that of the drum disposed upstream eters of the drums thus are different for different coltherefrom Hereinafter is shown the results of some experiments It has been found that a stable position regulation can on the color displacement carried out in accordance be conducted in the case of using a paper such as the with the apparatus as shown in the drawing. In the exconventional base paper of the photographic paper as periments, a material to be dye-transferred having a the material to be dye-transferred, by making the diamwidth of 300 mm is dipped in water for 20 to mineter of the second and third matrix drums 2 and 3 utes and dye-transferred at the rate of 450 mm/min. larger than the upstream drums 1 and 2 by 0.02 to 0.5 The value of the color displacement is that measured percent. By the above construction of the drums, slack 5 after nine sheets of duplicates have been dyeis prevented between a squeeze roller adjacent to a transferred, namely, the color displacement in the drum and a guide roller adjacent to the previous drum, tenth sheet shown in comparison with the conventional and the web material 6 is held in a tensioned condition. apparatus.

' diameter of drums (mm) color displacement Material to be (mm) dye transferred drum 1 drum 2 drum 3 first tenth sheet sheet (Reference Baryta paper 2l0 g/rn coated l4l.00 l4l.00 l4l.00 0.! 1.5

with 10g gelatin. Example I Baryla paper 2l0 g/m coated l4l.00 l4l l0 l4l.20 0.0 0.2

with l0n gelatin. Example 2 (ellulosu lriacelatc 0.2 min l4l.00 l4l.02 l4l.04 0.0 (H

thick coated with 10p. gelatin. Example 3 Polyethylene terephthalate l4l.00 l4l.0l 141.02 0.0 0.0

0. l7 mm thick coated with 101.1. gelatin.

As one device analogous to the apparatus of the present invention, a paper take-up rotary printer has been known in the art. In the rotary printer, two methods are known for regulating the position of the plate with respect to the paper. One of the methods is one in which the length of the paper passage is changed and controlled to modify the printing position between the printing stations. The other of the methods is one in which the rotating angle of the drum is controlled to amend the printing position with respect to the paper. However, the dye-transfer process in which the material to be transferred contains high water content up to the saturation extent is basically different from the process in which a completely dried paper is printed. That is, the paper containing a great amount of water such as baryta paper is expandable by tension and it is hard to contract if once expanded.

Accordingly, in the apparatus of the present invention, the material to be dye-transferred is normally subjected to constant tension until the dye -transfer process is completed with respect to all colors. Further, the color displacement owing to the doubled expansion of the material is prevented in the present invention. In the event that the conventional apparatus used for rotary printing is used in the dye-transfer process, a large space is required to be provided between the matrix drums for exerting tension on the material to be dyetransferred, and accordingly, the size of the apparatus becomes large and the time of passage of the material becomes long. Thus, particular care is required to keep the physical conditions on the material to be dyetransferred constant with respect to the matrices. Further, in the case of the rotary printer, the plate drum and the material to be printed may be in linear contact with each other. Therefore, the relative size of the ap paratus to the contact time is much larger in the rotary printer. In contrast to this, in the apparatus of the present invention, the material to be dye-transferred preferably is in surface contact with the surface of the matrix, and the distance between the matrix drum s is desired to be as short as possible to fulfill the physical condition of the material to be transferred. Thus, there are substantial differences, as hereinabove explained, between the conventional rotary printer and the apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

The present invention has been described in detail in the specification with particular reference to a preferred embodiment, but it will be understood that various modifications and variations can be effected Within the scope of the invention as described hereinabove and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for transferring multiple color dye images in superimposed fashion, in sequence, on a tensioned moving web, during which the web becomes water saturated and stretches longitudinally, said apparatus including: a plurality of rotatable drums, each drum supporting a matrix on its periphery, means for driving the drums at the same angular velocity, dye solution supplying devices operatively associated with said drums to supply a different color dye to respective drum matrices, and a plurality of press rollers disposed in contact with the web and pressing the web into peripheral contact with the drums for a prescribed duration, the improvement wherein: the diameters of successive drums increase in the direction of web movement in direct proportion to the longitudinal stretch of the web caused by water saturation during image transfer to compensate for web stretching and prevent slack from occurring within the web from drum to drum, and thereby maintain full web contact with the drums to improve registration of the superimposed color dye images transferred from the various matrices to the web during movement of said web through said apparatus.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the matrices are of increased circumferential length, corresponding to drum diameter, progressively in the direction of web movement to further improve multi-image registration. 

1. In an apparatus for transferring multiple color dye images in superimposed fashion, in sequence, on a tensioned moving web, during which the web becomes water saturated and stretches longitudinally, said apparatus including: a plurality of rotatable drums, each drum supporting a matrix on its periphery, means for driving the drums at the same angular velocity, dye solution supplying devices operatively associated with said drums to supply a different color dye to respective drum matrices, and a plurality of press rollers disposed in contact with the web and pressing the web into peripheral contact with the drums for a prescribed duration, the improvement wherein: the diameters of successive drums increase in the direction of web movement in direct proportion to the longitudinal stretch of the web caused by water saturation during image transfer to compensate for web stretching and prevent slack from occurring within the web from drum to drum, and thereby maintain full web contact with the drums to improve registration of the superimposed color dye images transferred from the various matrices to the web during movement of said web through said apparatus.
 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the matrices are of increased circumferential length, corresponding to drum diameter, progressively in the direction of web movement to further improve multi-image registration. 